A Day at The SHOT Show: What It’s Like at the Biggest Industry Event of the Year
Nearly everyone in the gun community is familiar with the SHOT Show. Those in the industry, as well as curious enthusiasts, wait patiently (or not so patiently) all year to get the scoop on new gear from their favorite brands. But there’s so much more to this event than just a sneak peek at guns coming out this year.
So, what is the SHOT Show, and what goes on there?
The SHOT Show is an annual trade show held in Las Vegas for members of the shooting, hunting, law enforcement, and outdoor industries. One of the largest trade shows in America, attendees have the opportunity to network, explore thousands of exhibits, and attend demonstrations, training sessions, and after-hours events.
Since admission is limited and not open to the public, we thought we’d give you an insider’s look at what it’s like to attend the SHOT Show and what makes it the industry event of the year.
What is The SHOT Show?
The SHOT Show is an annual trade show held every January in Las Vegas, Nevada. “SHOT” stands for “Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade”. Attendance is exclusively reserved for people working in these industries and is not open to the public (bummer, we know!). Still, it’s a large turnout, with over 54,000 people attending in 2025.
SHOT Show is owned and sponsored by NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, and is primarily held in the Venetian Expo and Caesars Forum on the Las Vegas Strip. It’s a HUGE venue, and anyone who tries to see every corner of it is in for a lot of walking. The event spans around 810,000 net square feet, or over 18 acres. Even with boots on the ground from open to close, it’s nearly impossible to see everything at the SHOT Show, no matter how much caffeine and ibuprofen you’re living on.
The show itself usually lasts around four days. However, additional events go on for an entire “SHOT Week,” including an industry range day, NSSF/HAVA charity golf fundraiser, a supplier showcase, and the SHOT University law enforcement training program.
There’s a lot that goes on in just a few short days, but we’ll do our best to break down the highlights of the week to give you a better idea of what people who attend might experience.
What Happens at The SHOT Show?
From exploring booths to meeting new people, the SHOT Show is an action-packed few days. There’s hardly time to eat, let alone get off your feet for a few minutes. Exactly what you do at the event depends on your goals and business needs. Here’s what you have to choose from:
Exhibits
The bulk of the SHOT Show is made up of over 2,800 exhibitors for visitors to check out. The booths are run by various companies in the shooting, hunting, tactical, and outdoor spaces, and give these businesses an opportunity to display their products or services.
Many of the exhibits give attendees the chance to put their hands on actual products they may not otherwise get to see in-person. It’s a great way for people to gauge which products they really like and may want to purchase down the road, or just to learn about different brands in the industry.
The most exciting part of this, and the one most people are interested in hearing about, is all the new products being released in the upcoming year. Firearm manufacturers, optics companies, and all kinds of other businesses often showcase new products at the SHOT Show, which is a fantastic way to generate hype for their release.
There is also a dedicated Supplier Showcase where manufacturers can connect with vendors that supply their materials. This is a major opportunity for companies to potentially find better suppliers, and for suppliers to meet potential new clients. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Some brands even invite industry celebrities or influencers to join them at their booth, offering meet-and-greets for anyone who comes by. You can typically snap a selfie and take a look at what the company has to offer while you’re at it.
Demonstrations & Education
Something many people don’t know about the SHOT Show is that some companies offer live, and sometimes interactive, demonstrations of their products. This can include everything from virtual simulations, dry fire training, product demos, and even friendly competitions.
More in-depth training opportunities are available in the form of educational break-out sessions. Most of these programs are reserved for law enforcement officers and can be quite extensive. The SHOT University Law Enforcement Education Program offers over a dozen sessions hosted by brands like Trijicon, Streamlight, and Daniel Defense that discuss subjects like handling low-light operations, biometrics, equipment selection, and safety.
Giveaways
One of the many perks of attending the SHOT Show is that you have the opportunity to enter a bunch of giveaways. In order to get more attention at their booth, brands will sometimes host giveaways for items ranging from guns and accessories to trucks. You never know what you might go home with!
Even if you don’t win one of the big prizes, there are plenty of freebies you can pick up from exhibitors. Everyone at the SHOT Show can expect to go home with a bunch of branded shirts, patches, lanyards, pens, tote bags, etc. And who doesn’t like free swag?
Networking
Since the SHOT Show is reserved for industry brands and professionals, nearly everyone is there to do a little business. Although you’re not actually allowed to negotiate deals at the SHOT Show, the networking opportunities are second to none. It’s a great place for people to meet face-to-face and make connections they may otherwise never have the chance to make.
This often looks like brand representatives sharing their goals for the upcoming year and making plans to discuss potential partnerships and business deals after the show. It’s also a great place for companies to meet new vendors to supply their products and materials. Influencers are also in attendance and ready to make connections that could lead to potential deals and collaborations with businesses and other content creators.
In short, it’s all your favorite brands and personalities in the industry discussing how they can make more of the gear and content you love most. It may sound boring, but it’s the most important part of the show!
Bonus Events
It just wouldn’t be the SHOT Show without the opportunity to fire off a few rounds. The SHOT Show Industry Day at the Range is held annually for exhibitor-invited media and buyers. It gives attendees a chance to shoot and test new products from over 200 manufacturers. Registration is limited for this one, but it’s worth it if you can get in!
Another great bonus event at SHOT Week is the NSSF/HAVA Golf Classic. This charity golf event raises funds for Honored American Veterans Afield, whose mission is to help disabled combat veterans re-integrate into civilian life through hunting and shooting sports. It’s a great opportunity to hit the beautiful Nevada greens while also golfing for a cause.
Nightlife
When the exhibition floor closes at 5:30, the fun of the SHOT Show is far from over. It is Las Vegas, after all! In addition to the many great clubs, restaurants, casinos, and shows that Vegas has to offer, SHOT Show hosts a few parties of its own.
Visitors have the option to attend three SHOT Show After Dark mixers, each of which is held at a different local venue. These parties are a great place to kick back with some drinks and mingle with other show attendees. An additional limited all-access pass is required, which also gets pass holders expedited admission into some Vegas nightclubs.
A variety of other events are also held by attending brands around the city during this time. These parties are typically by invitation only, so you’ve got to know someone to get in. If you can find your way in, these parties are a crazy good time and a great way to make some new friends in the industry.
There are also plenty of opportunities to explore the Vegas nightlife on your own terms, either with your own group or with others you want to connect with. Everyone is so busy during the show that it’s often better to try to schedule dinner meetings rather than discuss business during the event.
How Can I Follow SHOT Show 2026?
For anyone who can’t attend, it’s easy to get SHOT Show FOMO. It’s by far the largest trade show in the industry, and the time of year when brands are offering a peek at the gear they’re planning to drop in the near future. So, what’s the best way to see what’s happening at the show?
Lucky for you, Vedder Holsters has boots on the ground at the SHOT Show, and we’re posting daily about all the great stuff we come across. Follow us on social media for the most timely updates, plus keep an eye on our blog for more details on the most exciting new releases.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for a reliable, custom-fit holster, you can visit our Holsters by Gun Model page to find Kydex holsters tailored to your firearm. Not sure which holster is right for you? Take a look at our interactive comparison tool to view holsters side-by-side and filter by feature. Plus, explore our Resources Page for gear recommendations, concealed carry guides, and exclusive content to elevate your carry system.
